Water Quality Assessment of Selected Hand-Dug Wells Situated Near Dumpsites in Parts of Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State, Northeastern-Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to assess the water quality of some selected hand-dug wells situated close to refuse dumps in parts of Bauchi metropolis. Quality of the water sources will determine their suitability to serve as good sources of potable water or otherwise. Twenty water samples were collected in May 2018 and were analysed for physical, chemical and microbial parameters. Tables and charts were used for data presentation. Result obtained indicates that each of the physical parameters’ mean value was within the standards set by the Nigeria Industrial Standard in the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality. Despite their proximity to refuse dumps, the water sources sampled appear to have no issues with any of the physical parameters investigated. Nine cations’ (Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2, Fe+2, Pb+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, As+3 and NH4+) concentrations were determined and their mean values, with the exception of Calcium and Magnesium, were within the maximum permissible levels set by the Nigeria Industrial Standard. Calcium has mean value of 167.45mg/l against the maximum permissible level (mpl) of 75mg/l while Magnesium has 77.35mg/l against the maximum permissible level of 20mg/l. Mean values for these two cations were higher than their respective maximum permissible levels. Seven anions’ (Cl-, F-, NO3-, NO2-, SO4-2, HCO3- and PO4-) concentrations were also determined. The mean values of Chloride, Fluoride, Sulphate and Ammonia are within the maximum permissible levels. The mean values for Nitrate and Nitrite were 50.21mg/l and 1.01mg/l respectively which are higher than their respective maximum permissible levels. Total Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Phosphate and Bicarbonate concentrations’ mean values were also higher than their respective maximum permissible levels. The mean values for Total and Faecal Coliform were 10.45cfu/100ml and 2.8cfu/100ml respectively. While the mean value for Total Coliform was slightly higher than maximum permissible level of 10cfu/100ml, the mean value for Faecal Coliform of 2.8cfu/100ml against the maximum permissible level of 0.00cfu/100ml is rather high. This is an indication that the water sources under investigation were recently contaminated and may cause water borne diseases.